prevent squash vine borers organically

squash vine borers

If you grow zucchini and squash, you may have lost many plants over the years and squeezed the vine borers. Well, finally, here comes Calvary! I would like to share the technique I have used to prevent squash flag borers naturally in my own garden for many years. It works like a charm to keep these pesky, stem-pit pests from destroying this zucchini crop. Please try and report back with your results.

How To Prevent Squash Flag Borers Naturally In Three Simple Steps

Step 1: Immediately after planting your squash seeds or transplants, cover with a layer of floating row cover or insect net until they are sufficient for step 2 to access the adult vine borers (see photo).

Step 2: When the plants have two or three sets of true leaves, remove the row cover and wrap a four-inch-long aluminum foil around the base of each plant. The strips should be one to two inches wide. Wrap them tightly around the stems and make sure the foil extends a quarter of an inch below the soil surface. The foil barrier protects the weak spot of the plant and prevents female flag bearers from laying eggs in this vulnerable area. (If you want to have something that looks more natural than foil, you can wrap the stems with floral tape.)

Step 3: Every two weeks, go to the garden to repair. When the squash stalks expand, the foil should be folded back so the plant is not stiff. This step will take some time and is worth your time. If you find that the plant is longer than the foil, get a new strip that is slightly larger than the previous one and rearrange the stems.

Foil Wrap When controlling squash flag borers, there is another common and persistent pest that affects squash plants: the squash bug. If Squash Bugs Attack Your Plants, this video will show you a clever little trick to get rid of squash bug eggs and nymphs naturally - using duct tape!

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